100,000 Korean hookers expected in Tokyo for 2020 Olympics

Earlier this month, Korea rejected Japan’s request that it lift a ban on the importation of seafood from eight prefectures, a mandate that was issued over potential dangers that may result due to the radioactive water leaking from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

In an effort to offer some perspective on the matter, Tokyo Sports (Sept. 15), in a highly charged article, says that health risks will most certainly not prevent Korean hookers from coming to Tokyo in 2020 for the Olympic Games.

For the inside scoop, the evening tabloid speaks with Akira Ikoma, the editor of a guide to men’s entertainment called Ore no Tabi (My Journey). He says that Korean prostitutes from around the world will arrive in Tokyo, especially the Uguisudani area, which is known for its “delivery health” out-call establishments.

“It could be more than 100,000 women,” says Ikoma. “They will be eyeing the economic possibilities that go with the event. There is no doubt about it.”

In 2004, the Korean government passed an anti-prostitution law and shuttered a number of sex shops. As a result, the editor says, Korea has “exported” 100,000 prostitutes to the United States, Japan and Australia.

Ikoma says that a proclivity for plastic surgery among Korean women goes over very well in Japan, adding that their popularity is not limited to big cities like Tokyo and Osaka. “In rural areas, there are out-call establishments featuring Korean women,” assures the editor, “and their customers are very loyal to them.”

The article says that the overall industry in Tokyo, however, will face hard times, so to speak. Law enforcement is expected to crack down on sex-related establishments in entertainment areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ikebukuro before the Games begin. “I think it will be very strict,” says Ikoma.

Korean women, too, may face complications. Tokyo Sports says that newspapers are reporting that the large number of prostitutes that have been leaving the country will next year result in restrictions on the issuance of passports due to “national shame” concerns.

Tokyo Sports points out, however, that will not stop the production of forged passports, which Korea and China are known for fabricating.

The article concludes by saying that no matter the scenario Japan can do no right in the eyes of Korea, which continually demands that Nippon “acknowledge history!” and “apologize for the comfort women!”

Alas, Japan will remain the target of these attacks for the foreseeable future, moans Tokyo Sports. Hopefully, the influx of hookers will sooth some of that pain. (K.N.)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.